Device for securing a motor vehicle

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a device for opening and closing windows ( 1   a,    1   b,    1   c,    1    d ) of a motor vehicle having window regulators ( 4   a,   4   b,   4   c,   4   d ) which are operated by a secondary force and which can be triggered independently of each other by operating elements ( 5   a   ,5   b,   5   c,   5   d ) and with an anti-jam protection device ( 7 ). According to the invention an additional operating element ( 8 ) is provided with which the locking devices ( 3   a,    3   b,    3   c,    3   d ) of the vehicle can be triggered, the anti-jam protection device ( 7 ) can be deactivated and the window regulators ( 4   a,    4   b,    4   c,    4   d ) can be brought jointly into their closing position. (FIG. 1).

[0001] The invention relates to a device for securing a motor vehicleaccording to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Motor vehicles are usually provided with window regulator systemsthrough which several windows of the motor vehicle can be opened andclosed by one switch per movable window pane, eg through a service areaarranged within reach of the driver.

[0003] Particularly in large towns situations can arise where the driverof a vehicle has to protect himself and possible other passengers fromattacks from outside by rapidly locking the vehicle. This can benecessary for example with short stops at traffic lights as well as inslow-moving or stationary traffic because such situations can be used toambush the vehicle and steal valuable items contained therein.

[0004] In order to lock the doors in such situations so-called“lock-unlock switches” are known. By operating a switch of this kind setin the vehicle near the driver a central door locking action istriggered in the same way that it is also triggered in known way whenleaving and locking up the vehicle.

[0005] In order to close open windows which likewise represent a weakspot it is necessary however with the known systems always to operateindividually the relevant switch for each opened window. This has thedrawback that rapid closing of all the open windows when under threatcan only take place with a loss of time wherein additional delays canalso occur if the wrong switch is operated by mistake under panic.

[0006] Window regulators do as a rule for safety reasons have ananti-jam device which detects when an object is trapped between a windowpane and a window frame and reverses the movement of the window pane. Anattacker need therefore only place an object or part of the body in thegap of the still open window in order to break the closing process anddepending on the type of anti-jam device open the window again fully orin part.

[0007] Devices of the type already described were therefore refined sothat by continuously operating the relevant switch the relevant windowcan be closed by by-passing the anti-jam protection device. This doesindeed have the advantage that in the event of an attack the window isreliably closed; but the danger of accidental injuries does exist ifthis function is to be used by mistake in an every day situation. It isnot natural for the user of a vehicle that the comfort function “closinga window with anti-jam protection” is triggered by a once-only operationof the corresponding switch whilst the security function “closing of awindow without anti-jam protection” is triggered by continuouslyoperating the same switch.

[0008] In DE 43 20 548 A1 which describes an opening with a motor-drivenvehicle side window and with an anti-jam protection device it isproposed for the purpose of securing the occupant from a third partythat the anti-jam device can be switched off by an emergency switch. Theemergency switch described, which switches off the anti-jam device forthe remaining time of an individual closing process, is to be operated,in addition to a switch which triggers the closing process of anindividual pane, before or during the initiated closing process.

[0009] This process can only be coordinated in an emergency or panicsituation with difficulty since the person under attack has to take careof the decentralized closing of each individual opened window with therelevant switch on the one hand and also switching off the anti-jamdevice with the additional emergency switch on the other.

[0010] Based on this prior art the object of the invention is to providea device for securing a motor vehicle which allows even under stress andpanic situations the immediate and secure locking of all the openwindows and doors.

[0011] This is achieved according to the invention through the featuresof claim 1. Preferred and advantageous developments of the invention areprovided in the sub-claims.

[0012] According to the invention three individual processes can betriggered independently of each other by means of one single additionaloperating element mounted separately in the inside of the vehicle,namely

[0013] 1. triggering all the door locking devices of the vehicle so thatall the vehicle doors can be locked;

[0014] 2. closing all the open windows through a common simultaneousrelease of the relevant window regulator and

[0015] 3. simultaneous deactivation of the anti-jam protection device.

[0016] The solution according to the invention thereby allows even underpanic and stress situations a rapid, simple and reliable securing of thevehicle.

[0017] The term “deactivation of the anti-jam protection device” therebyembraces all variations for closing the window without the anti-jamfunction becoming active, thus more particularly both when switching offand by-passing the anti-jam function.

[0018] In the solution according to the invention the closing process ofthe window panes with a simultaneous deactivation of the anti-jam deviceis indeed only maintained for the duration of the operation of theoperating element so that with a break in the operation (eg by lettinggo the operating element) the closing process of the window panes isaccordingly token off immediately. Despite a deactivated anti-jamprotection device a high degree of security is thereby guaranteedagainst jamming and the accompanying risk of accidental injury to athird party. Opposite this the locking process of the doors alreadyintroduced immediately after operating the additional operating elementand the subsequent locking of the doors is maintained even when theoperation is broken off.

[0019] The invention has the advantage that rapid closing of all theopen doors and windows is guaranteed without any loss of time. Bycoupling the locking devices of the doors and windows a simple, rapidand correct handling is guaranteed in emergency cases.

[0020] The solution according to the invention also allows a clearseparation between the comfort function and the security function. Inthe comfort function the window panes are in known way opened and closedby means of the associated service elements with an activated anti-jamprotection function. In the security function all the window panes areclosed simultaneously by means of the additional operating element witha deactivated anti-jam protection device. By clearly separating the twofunctions, preferably by clearly marking and/or mounting thecorresponding structural elements in separate places it is possible tominimize the risk of mistakes during their operation.

[0021] In order to increase further the security action it is possiblethat in addition to the door locking devices the other locking devicesof the vehicle, eg boot, sun roof etc are also locked when the operatingelement is operated.

[0022] With an advantageous embodiment of the invention the lockingdevices of the vehicle (vehicle doors, boot, sunroof etc) are triggeredthrough central locking through the additional operating element.

[0023] By combining a device for simultaneously triggering severalwindow regulators with a central door locking system, the circuit forthe central door locking can be used simultaneously for the centralcontrol of the window regulators, eg the window regulators and lockingdevices of the vehicle doors can be triggered through common electricleads. An already existing circuit (central door locking) is hereby usedfor simultaneously closing the windows so that the expense is minimalwhen providing the central closing device for the windows. Furthermorethe latter can be installed afterwards without problem by using thecircuitry already contained in the motor vehicle.

[0024] The additional operating element is preferably formed as a switchwhich is in active connection with the drive units of the windowregulators through a (preferably electric) circuit assembly. The switchcan thereby be formed as a button (eg press button) through which thewindow regulators are only activated during the time in which the switchis operated by the operator. Closing the windows can be interrupted byletting go the button so that the risk of accidental injury to a thirdparty is substantially eliminated.

[0025] The switch can be mounted both in a signal or control circuit andin the supply leads to the relevant window regulators

[0026] In an advantageous embodiment the additional operating element isdesigned as a switch with two switching steps wherein the firstswitching step serves to trigger the locking devices of the vehicle andthe second switching step serves to trigger the window regulators andsimultaneously deactivate the anti-jam protection device.

[0027] Preferably when operating the additional operating element onlythe window regulators of those windows which are open are triggered.This can be achieved with the known systems which detect through sensorsthe end positions of the window panes to be moved and where applicablecarry out an end switch-off. Energy is thereby saved and the motors ofthe window regulators conserved because only the relevant motorsrequired need run up to the end of the entire closing process which isto be carried out in an emergency situation.

[0028] In an advantageous embodiment only one additional operatingelement is provided which is mounted within reach of the driver and/or afront passenger.

[0029] However there are also variations where several additionaloperating elements are provided which are preferably each fitted on thedoors and which each trigger by themselves the same processes in theevent of and during their activation.

[0030] In order to meet the strict safety requirements which are toprevent injuries as a result of the deactivation of the anti-jamprotection device the window regulators can preferably only be triggeredby the additional operating element when

[0031] a) the vehicle door with which the relevant window regulator isassociated, is closed and/or

[0032] b) the vehicle key is fitted in the ignition lock and/

[0033] c) the vehicle engine is running.

[0034] With a further embodiment of the invention the additionaloperating element also activates a signal device. The signals emittedcan be for example acoustic and/or optical and can be produced both bymeans of devices belonging to the vehicle (eg horn or head lights) andby means of separate devices.

[0035] The solution according to the invention can also be produced byproviding in each of the doors having the window regulators a controldevice which is in active connection with the additional operatingelement on one side and with the window regulator belonging to therelevant door on the other. In this case each control device contains ananti-jam protection device which is associated with each windowregulator. Furthermore a service area is preferably associated with eachcontrol device by means of which the comfort function “opening andclosing the window regulator with activation of the anti-jam protection”can be triggered.

[0036] The additional operating element is thereby preferably mountedwithin the reach of the vehicle driver and his front passengerrespectively, thus more particularly on the inside of thepassenger/driver door or in the area of the vehicle dashboard, so thatchildren seated in the back seats do not have access to the additionaloperating element.

[0037] The control devices can obviously also serve to control thelocking devices of the vehicle doors.

[0038] Further advantages of the invention will now be explained withreference to the embodiments described and illustrated in the drawingsin which:

[0039]FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a device for simultaneouslyclosing several windows of a motor vehicle;

[0040]FIG. 2 shows a modification of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0041]FIG. 1 shows diagrammatically a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

[0042] The drawing shows four vehicle doors 1 a-1 d, with windows 2 a-2d. Each door 1 a-1 d has a locking device 3 a-3 d (door lock) and anelectric window regulator (4 a-4 d) for raising and lowering therelevant window pane.

[0043] A service area 5 mounted within the reach of the driver has fourswitches 6 a-6 d which are in active connection through an anti-jamprotection device 7 with the relevant window regulators 4 a-4 d of thefront left door 1 a, front right door 1 b, rear left door 1 c and rearright door 1 d. Obviously instead of one central anti-jam protectiondevice 7 several decentralized anti-jam protection devices can also beprovided associated with the individual windows 2 a-2 d. Furthermoreadditional service areas can also be provided by means of which otherpassengers in addition to the driver can open and close the windows 2a-2 d.

[0044] In addition a switch 8 mounted within the reach of the driver isin active connection with the drive units of the window regulators 4 a-4d through an electric circuit 12. When the switch 8 is operated all thewindow regulators 4 a-4 d which are not in their closed position can bebrought together into their closed position by by-passing or switchingoff the anti-jam protection device 7. A further switch 11 is mountednext to this switch 8 and is connected through central door locking 10in a circuit arrangement 13 in known way with the locking devices 3 a-3d of the vehicle doors 1 a-1 d.

[0045] The connecting leads of the circuits 12, 13 in the present caseconcern signal leads which allow the window regulators 4 a-4 d andlocking devices 3 a-3 d to be controlled through the switches 8, 11. Theinvention also includes however variations where the switch 8 engages onthe relevant supply leads of the window regulators 4 a-4 d.

[0046] In everyday use the user opens and closes the windows 2 a-2 d bymeans of the switches 6 a-6 d which are associated with the individualwindows and which trigger the relevant window regulators 4 a-4 d. Theclosing process is monitored during operation of the switches 6 a-6 d bythe anti-jam protection device 7 which triggers a stop and reversemovement of the corresponding window pane when an object or part of thebody is trapped between the top edge of the window pane and the windowframe.

[0047] By operating the additional switch 8 it is furthermore possibleto control all the window regulators 4 a-4 d simultaneously and withdeactivation of the anti-jam protection device 7 when a threat fromoutside the vehicle makes this necessary.

[0048] In emergency situations a rapid, simultaneous closing of all openwindows 2 a-2 d is thus guaranteed by by-passing the anti-jam protectiondevice 7. Different markings and spatial separation of the additionalswitch 8 from the service area 5 of the remaining switches 6 a-6 d makesit possible to clearly separate the comfort function from the securityfunction so that accidental triggering of the additional switch 8 isavoided.

[0049] Through the switch 11 mounted next to the additional switch 8central door locking 10 is controlled which allows simultaneous closingof all the doors 1 a-1 d by means of the corresponding locking devices 3a-3 d.

[0050] By linking the switches 8, 11 structurally close together,closing the windows 2 a-2 d and locking the doors 1 a-1 d can be carriedout with one hand movement which allows a rapid panic-initiatedemergency locking of the windows and doors.

[0051] In a preferred variation it is proposed that by means of only oneswitch 8 both the windows 2 a-2 d are closed and the anti-jam protectiondevice 7 deactivated and also the doors 1 a-1 d are locked, thefunctions of the switch 11 thus being integrated in the switch 8.

[0052] The switch 8 can thereby be formed with two switching stepswherein the first switching step serves to trigger the locking devicesof the vehicle and the second switching step additionally triggers thewindow regulators.

[0053] According to the modification shown in FIG. 2 of the previousembodiment a control device 15 a-15 d (door control device) is providedin each vehicle door 1 a-1 d and serves both to control the relevantdoor locking device 3 a-3 d and also the relevant window regulator 4 a-4d. Each control device 15 a, 15 b, 15 c and 15 d contains an anti-jamprotection device which is each allocated directly with one windowregulator 4 a, 4 b, 4 c and 4 d (decentralized anti-jam protection).

[0054] Each control device 15 a-15 d is furthermore allocated its ownservice area with which the comfort function “opening or closing thewindows 2 a-2 d with activation of the anti-jam protection” can betriggered. It can thereby be proposed for example that the driver canopen and close all the windows 4 a-4 d whilst the remaining passengerscan however each only adjust one of the windows.

[0055] The door locking deices 3 a-3 d as well as where applicable theother locking devices for the boot, sunroof etc are triggered by acentral locking 10 whose signals are processed in the control devices 15a-15 d and are then directed to the door locking devices 3 a-3 d.

[0056] An additional switch 8 is mounted on each of the two front doors1 a, 1 b and has two switching steps 9 a,9 b. If one of the switches 8is moved through corresponding activation into the first switching step9 a then the leads of the electrical circuit 14 transfer an impulse tothe central locking 10 so that this is triggered and locks the doorlocking devices 3 a-3 d, boot etc. The drive units of the windowregulators 4 a-4 d do not however react to this impulse.

[0057] If the switch 8 is moved beyond the first switching step 9 a intothe second switching step 9 b then through the control devices 15 a-15 dthe window regulators 4 a-4 d are additionally triggered and all theopen windows 2 a-2 d are locked with deactivation of the associatedanti-jam protection devices. Closing of the windows and deactivation ofthe anti-jam protection devices thereby take place only for the timeduring which the switch 8 is operated. Simultaneous closing of thewindows 2 a-2 d is thereby possible since all the control devices 15a-15 d in the electric circuit 14 are in active connection with eachother,.

[0058] As an alternative it is proposed to dispense with the twoswitching steps 9 a,9 b and that when the switch 9 is operatedautomatically both locking of all the doors and closing of all thewindows are carried out with deactivation of the anti-jam protection.

[0059] Since no additional switches for simultaneously closing thewindows 2 a-2 d with deactivation of the anti-jam protection areprovided on the rear doors 1 c, 1 d, it is not possible for childrenseated in the back to trigger the window regulators 4 a-4 d withdeactivation of the anti-jam protection which could endanger thirdparties.

[0060] In order to draw the attention of a third party to an attack onthe vehicle an alarm system 16 is also activated when operating theadditional switch 8.

1. Device for securing a motor vehicle having window regulators (4 a,4b,4 c,4 d) which are operated by a secondary force and which can betriggered independently of each other by operating elements (6 a,6 b,6c,6 d) and with at least one anti-jam protection device (7) which can bedeactivated when necessary, and with at least one additional separateoperating element (8) mounted inside the vehicle which a) when operatedtriggers the locking devices (3 a,3 b,3 c,3 d) of the vehicle doors sothat the vehicle doors become locked and b) for all the time it isoperated triggers the window regulators (4 a, 4 b, 4 c, 4 d) in thedirection of the closing position, wherein the at least one anti-jamprotection device (7) is deactivated.
 2. Device according to claim 1characterised in that the additional operating element (8) is formed asa switch and is in active connection with the drive units of the windowregulators (4 a, 4 b, 4 c, 4 d) through an electric circuit assembly(12, 14).
 3. Device according to claim 1 or 2 characterised in that theadditional operating element has as a switch (8) two switching steps (9a,9 b) wherein the first switching step (9 a) serves to trigger thelocking devices (3 a, 3 b, 3 c, 3 d) of the vehicle and the secondswitching step (9 b) serves to trigger the window regulators (4 a, 4 b,4 c, 4 d) and simultaneously deactivate the anti-jam protection device(7).
 4. Device according to at least one of the preceding claims,characterised in that only one additional operating element (8) isprovided which is mounted within the reach of the vehicle driver and/ora front passenger.
 5. Device according to at least one of claims 1 to 3characterised in that several additional operating elements (8) areprovided which are preferably each attached to the doors (1 a, 1 b, 1 c,1 d) and which each trigger by themselves the same processes in theevent of and during their operation.
 6. Device according to at least oneof the preceding claims, characterised in that the window regulators (4a, 4 b, 4 c, 4 d) can only be triggered by means of the additionaloperating element (8) when the vehicle key is in the ignition lock. 7.Device according to at least one of the preceding claims, characterisedin that a signal system can be additionally activated by means of theadditional operating element (8).
 8. Device according to one of thepreceding claims, characterised in that the doors (1 a, 1 b, 1 c, 1 d)having a window regulator (4 a, 4 b, 4 c, 4 d) are each associated witha control device (15 a, 15 b, 15 c, 15 d) which is in active connectionon one side with the additional operating element (8) and on the otherwith the window regulators (4 a, 4 b, 4 c, 4 d) associated with therelevant door (1 a, 1 b, 1 c, 1 d).
 9. Device according to claim 8characterised in that the locking devices (3 a, 3 b, 3 c, 3 d) of thevehicle doors (1 a, 1 b, 1 c, 1 d) can also be controlled with thecontrol devices (15 a, 15 b, 15 c, 15 d).